Michelle Leela Grace

Expressive Arts Therapy

Loving An “Unloving” Mother

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One evening during the week I spent in the “Come Alive” program at The Haven we did a guided visualization which took us into our personal “library”. First, we were guided by the facilitator into a relaxed state of mind. She then asked us to enter our library and begin to pull books off the shelf. Inside each book was a memory from our past.

In my first book, there was a memory of a Christmas from childhood. This particular Christmas began as usual; our family was together on Christmas morning, my parents sitting on the couch and my sisters and I on the floor opening our gifts with excitement. However, this year, on the day after Christmas, my mother had suddenly disappeared. [Read more…]

Being Cold Hearted Isn’t Fun For Anyone

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When I feel hurt in response to what someone else has said or done, I find myself closing my heart and relating to the other in a harsh manner. I get so stuck in my pain sometimes that I forget others also experience pain.

I’m known to be a bit heartless in my reactions to people after their actions have triggered hurt inside of me. Why I do this, I am not exactly sure, but I know a part of me wants them to feel pain because they “caused” me pain. I sometimes even perceive the other as trying to hurt me, and although sometimes that can be the case, it most often isn’t. [Read more…]

Beneath The Smooth Surface

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I left his house this morning still a bit frustrated over the morning’s difficulties. As I was walking towards the bus stop, I selected David White’s What to Remember When Waking audiobook. I chose the chapter on vulnerability. The audio started “Any real conversation involves vulnerability. There is no conversation without vulnerability” then it stopped as the audio suddenly skipped to another file.  That’s an interesting place for it to stop, I thought to myself, as I turned it back to David White. I had just spent the morning trying to express what I was feeling. I had been hurt and could not hide my tears. He wanted an explanation. I tried, but didn’t really. [Read more…]

Coming Alive At The Haven

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Recently I spent a week at The Haven, a retreat centre located on Gabriola Island. Gabriola is one of the Gulf islands nestled between the mainland and Vancouver Island. I love getting away to the islands for any reason; they are magical to me because anytime I visit one something shifts in my life. The Haven itself is a magical place. A place where people gather to improve themselves and the way they relate to others in this world.

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